Andrea Lobo, PhD,  science writer—

Andrea Lobo holds a PhD in cell biology/neurosciences from the University of Coimbra-Portugal, where she studied stroke biology. As a research scientist for 19 years, Andrea participated in academic projects in multiple research fields, from stroke, gene regulation, cancer, and rare diseases. She has authored multiple research papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Articles by Andrea Lobo

IgE levels may offer important clues to disease patterns seen in EGPA

In people with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), those with skin or heart involvement have significantly higher blood levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), a type of natural antibody frequently linked to EGPA, a study showed. Testing positive for the self-reactive antibodies ANCAs against the myeloperoxidase (MPO) protein tended to…

Protein may be marker of disease activity, kidney damage in AAV

A protein known as NGAL — fully, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin — appears to be a marker of disease activity and kidney damage severity in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) who have kidney inflammation, according to new research by scientists in China. The team found that “in active AAV, [blood]…

New clinical trials test NKX019 cell therapy in autoimmune diseases

Two Phase 1/2 clinical trials testing NKX019 — Nkarta’s cell therapy candidate — are now enrolling participants to test a second, higher dose in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and other autoimmune conditions. The Ntrust-2 study (NCT06733935) is enrolling up to 144 people with AAV, idiopathic inflammatory…

AAV linked to higher risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer

People with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) are at a higher risk of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), the most common form of skin cancer, but not other types of cancer, according to a long-term follow-up study in Europe. The use of the immunosuppressive therapy azathioprine, longer azathioprine treatment, and being…

Early use of Tavneos in AAV may prevent irreversible organ damage

Treatment with Tavneos (avacopan) appeared to more effectively suppress organ damage — while also significantly lowering glucocorticoid dosages and associated adverse events — in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), according to a real-world study in Japan. The study looked at the safety and effectiveness of glucocorticoids plus rituximab…

Early results from trial testing NKX019 for AAV expected soon

Preliminary data from a Phase 1 clinical trial testing NKX019, Nkarta’s cell therapy candidate for ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and other autoimmune conditions, are expected in the second half of this year. That’s according to a mid-year update from the biotechnology company, which is developing the natural killer (NK) cell…

Transplant failure risk higher for AAV kidney patients, study finds

People with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) affecting the kidneys who receive kidney transplants face higher long-term risks of transplant failure and death compared with those who undergo transplants for other reasons. That’s according to a study from France, which also found that the presence of ANCAs — self-reactive antibodies that…

Immune protein is prognosis sign in ANCA-associated vasculitis

Blood levels of CCL23, an immune molecule that may be involved in blood vessel formation and repair, are significantly increased in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) relative to healthy people, a study finds. High blood CCL23 levels accurately differentiate people with active AAV from those in remission and increase…

Blood GDF15 levels at diagnosis seen as predicting outcomes

Blood levels of a signaling molecule called growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) at diagnosis may help predict poor outcomes, including kidney failure and death, in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), according to a study in South Korea. Data also showed that GDF15 levels were significantly associated with AAV…